Outdoor accessories at Eterna: Your guide to year-round patio and balcony design

Your terrace or balcony should become a haven of well-being – not just in summer, but all year round. The Eterna Concept Store in Stäfa on Lake Zurich offers you exactly that: curated outdoor furniture, weather-resistant accessories, and creative floral solutions that transform your outdoor space into a stylish retreat. This guide shows you how to optimally design any outdoor space – from the smallest balcony to the most spacious terrace – all year round with Eterna's product range and the latest Swiss outdoor trends.

Since reopening in 2024 in a charming building dating back to 1748, Eterna has combined floristry, outdoor and indoor furniture, delicatessen, and design objects in a 250-square-meter space. The philosophy: quality over quantity, craftsmanship over mass-produced goods. Particularly exciting for outdoor enthusiasts: Eterna works closely with small producers and relies on weather-resistant materials that can withstand the Swiss climate. The focus is on the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces—a trend that will dominate the Swiss market in 2024 and 2025.

Eterna's outdoor range: Your design options

Outdoor lounge and furniture for every outdoor area

At the Eterna Concept Store, you'll find premium outdoor furniture that combines comfort and style. The range includes weather-resistant lounge furniture, seating for outdoor areas of varying sizes, and complete dining sets. While only a small portion of the selection is available online, a visit to the showroom in Stäfa is particularly worthwhile: Here, you can experience the furniture in atmospherically staged settings and receive personalized advice.

Eterna's outdoor lounge collection is characterized by weather-resistant materials specially selected for the Swiss climate. Hand-knotted rope-woven furniture dominates the range – recyclable, UV-resistant, and comfortable even without upholstery. Teak furniture is also part of the range, a material that, with proper care, will last for decades. At Eterna, the focus is on quality materials that can withstand the harsh Swiss winter without sacrificing design.

Outdoor accessories: The details transform your outdoor space

Eterna's outdoor accessories collection offers stylish additions that transform your outdoor space from a functional room into a personal oasis of well-being. The carefully curated pieces complement the furniture and create a harmonious overall atmosphere.

Outdoor cushions and weatherproof textiles add a touch of color and comfort. Warm brown tones, currently dominating the Swiss outdoor scene, combine perfectly with earth tones or bold accent colors. Complement your outdoor lounge with cushions in sage green, lavender, or trendy pink shades, which will be especially popular in 2024 and 2025.

Lanterns, lanterns, and garden candles create the perfect ambiance in the evening. Fairy lights and LED outdoor lighting extend your patio's usability into the night—especially important during the shorter days of autumn and winter. Eterna offers a curated selection that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Outdoor serving dishes, including trays and serving platters, make outdoor dining an experience. Eterna's designer pieces are not only functional but also add visual interest to your outdoor dining table.

Plant pots and outdoor decor: Green meets design

Eterna's concrete containers and modern plant pots are perfect for the Swiss outdoor scene: robust, weatherproof, and available in a variety of sizes. The trend in 2024 and 2025 is clearly toward insect-friendly plantings—lavender, globe thistles, asters, and single flowers that provide food for bees. Eterna combines floristry expertise with outdoor design, helping you harmoniously combine plants and accessories.

The storage baskets in our range are perfect for organizing your outdoor space. Whether for garden tools, outdoor cushions at night, or as decorative items – these baskets are weatherproof and visually appealing.

Sun protection: The parasol stand as an indispensable element

A sturdy parasol base is essential for relaxing hours on the patio. Eterna offers high-quality bases that securely hold even larger parasols – essential for the breeze on Lake Zurich. The models are made of weather-resistant materials and blend seamlessly into the overall design. In our showroom, you can see various models and determine the right size for your parasol.

Eterna's outdoor philosophy: More than just products

Design meets craftsmanship

Eterna's approach to outdoor spaces is based on three pillars: curation, quality, and personalization. The team works with artisans who craft their products with passion and skill. Instead of mass-produced items, you'll find exclusive pieces, often available in limited editions. This premium approach perfectly reflects the expectations of the Swiss market: Swiss consumers prefer to invest in quality once rather than replace frequently.

Weather resistance as a promise of quality

Crucial for Swiss use: Eterna's outdoor products are consistently designed for weather resistance. The Swiss climate presents unique challenges – from intense UV radiation in summer and heavy rain in autumn to frost and snow in winter. Eterna relies on materials that can withstand these extremes: high-quality outdoor textiles, powder-coated metals, treated woods such as teak, and high-quality plastics.

Eterna's outdoor lounge furniture is specially selected for its durability. Rope weave made from high-quality fibers resists moisture, chlorine, and food stains. Teak develops a beautiful silver-gray patina with proper care or, with regular oiling, retains its warm honey tone.

Seasonal offer and year-round vision

While traditional garden centers close in October, Eterna thinks year-round. The combination of floristry and outdoor accessories allows for seasonal changes: Fresh flowers and vibrant colors dominate in spring and summer, while wreaths, branches, and hardy arrangements are used in fall and winter. The outdoor furniture and accessories are designed to last for several years with proper care—a sustainable approach that fits the Swiss zeitgeist.

Swiss Outdoor Living 2024/2025: The most important trends

Indoor-Outdoor Convergence: Your Extended Living Room

The dominant trend in Switzerland in 2024 and 2025 will be the merging of indoor and outdoor spaces. Furniture and accessories are increasingly being designed to be used both indoors and outdoors. Your terrace will become an extended living room – with comfortable lounge furniture, outdoor rugs, and high-quality lighting. At Eterna, you'll find precisely these elements: furniture that combines living room comfort with outdoor robustness.

Eterna's outdoor lounge collection perfectly embodies this trend. High-quality seating with thick upholstery, weather-resistant cushions in living room quality, and stylish side tables create an atmosphere where you'll forget you're sitting outside. The difference: This furniture is not only beautiful to look at, but also withstands wind, rain, and UV rays.

Sustainability as standard

FSC-certified wood, recycled materials, and regional production are no longer distinguishing features in Switzerland, but rather expected standards. Robinia wood from European cultivation is increasingly replacing tropical woods. Eterna follows this trend with its philosophy: collaboration with small producers, quality over quantity, and long-lasting products instead of quick replacement.

The teak furniture in the range comes from sustainable forestry. The rope weave is recyclable. The concrete containers are produced locally. These details make a difference for environmentally conscious customers who want to enjoy their outdoor furniture not only today, but also in ten years.

Rope weave dominates the Swiss terraces

Hand-knotted rope furniture is the material of choice for 2024 and 2025—available in various colors, recyclable, UV-resistant, and comfortable even without cushions. The high-quality fibers resist moisture, chlorine, and food stains. If you're looking for lounge furniture at Eterna, look out for this material—it combines easy care with contemporary design.

In the showroom, you can experience the feel of the rope weave. The material feels pleasant, and even in direct sunlight, it doesn't get uncomfortably hot. The weave is so dense that you'll sit comfortably even without additional padding. For maximum comfort, however, Eterna recommends matching outdoor cushions, which complete the look and create additional coziness.

Year-round outdoor use becomes standard

Today, Swiss people expect to be able to use their patios from March to November at least – many are investing in patio heaters, patio covers, and weather-protected areas for even longer use. Infrared heaters are the most popular solution for cool evenings. Conservatories and bioclimatic pergolas with adjustable slats extend the season considerably.

At Eterna, you'll also receive tips for year-round use of your outdoor lounge as part of your consultation. Which furniture can stay outside, and which is better stored? How do you best protect your outdoor cushions? These questions will be answered in a personal consultation so you can enjoy your investment for a long time.

Plant trends 2024/2025: What grows in Swiss gardens

Insect-friendly is mandatory

The most important plant trend in Switzerland for 2024 and 2025: biodiversity and bee-friendliness. Single flowers that allow bees access to nectar are in demand. Lavender, asters, globe thistles, wildflowers – you'll find all these plants ideally in Eterna's floristry range or can stylishly display them in the concrete containers from the range.

Heat-tolerant and bee-friendly varieties are becoming increasingly important in light of increasingly extreme weather conditions. Eterna will advise you in the showroom on which plants are suitable for your specific situation—a south-facing balcony in full sun, a north-facing balcony in the shade, a wind-exposed terrace by a lake, or a sheltered courtyard.

Urban gardening and self-sufficiency are booming

Tomatoes, herbs, lettuce – Swiss people are increasingly transforming their balconies into mini vegetable gardens. Basil, rosemary, thyme, and parsley are the top favorites, complemented by snack vegetables and dwarf fruit trees. Eterna's planters provide the perfect foundation for this trend. Visit the showroom for advice on which container sizes are best for which plants.

Eterna's concrete containers are available in various sizes. Smaller models with a diameter of 20 to 30 centimeters are sufficient for herbs. For tomatoes or peppers, you should choose a diameter of at least 40 centimeters, or even better, 50 centimeters. Dwarf fruit trees require large containers with a diameter of 60 to 80 centimeters and the appropriate depth. The team at Eterna will help you find the right size.

Color trends: Warm tones meet bold accents

Warm earth tones form the basis of the current outdoor color palette: beige, sand, terracotta, and olive green. Bold colors come into play as accents – romantic pinks are particularly popular in 2024 and 2025. Combine Eterna outdoor cushions in warm brown tones with pink or blue accents for a contemporary look. Pastel colors like lavender and sage green complete the spectrum.

In the showroom, you can see and test out various color combinations. The experts at Eterna will show you how to color-coordinate outdoor cushions, planters, flowers, and furniture. The current trend is toward bold combinations – a warm brown tone as a base, complemented by a bold accent, creates depth and personality.

Practical furnishing tips for every outdoor area

Make the most of small balconies

Is your balcony only three to four square meters? No problem. With the right strategy, you can maximize it. Folding furniture is your best friend. Folding tables that can be attached to the railing, folding chairs that disappear when not in use – these solutions create flexibility. When looking for furniture at Eterna, ask specifically for space-saving models.

Thinking vertically is key. Plant walls, hanging baskets, wall-mounted shelves, and balcony boxes on railings all utilize three-dimensional space. Eterna's planters are perfect for vertical arrangements. You can place them at different heights or create a plant wall that takes up minimal floor space.

Light colors make small rooms appear larger. White or pastel outdoor cushions, light flooring, and understated decor create a sense of space. When choosing accessories, the rule is: less is more, but what little you have should be high-quality – precisely Eterna's philosophy. Three exquisite pieces work better than ten mediocre ones.

Eterna's storage baskets help you keep things organized. Organization is crucial on small balconies. You can store gardening gloves, watering tools, or extra outdoor cushions in the baskets. They serve as decorative elements during the day and as practical storage solutions in the evening.

Divide large terraces into zones

With 20 square meters or more, you can really design. Create different areas with different functions. A dining area with a dining table for six to eight people, ideally with an extendable function for larger parties, often forms the centerpiece. A parasol or awning provides shade. Eterna offers parasol stands and high-quality serving accessories such as trays and serving trays to complement this area.

The lounge area, complete with outdoor lounge sets, is housed in a corner. Indoor-outdoor convergence dominates here: Weatherproof outdoor cushions from Eterna, an outdoor rug, lanterns, and lanterns create an open-air living room atmosphere. This area is intended for relaxation, reading, and chatting with friends. Position it as sheltered from the wind as possible and with a pleasant view.

The plant area with large pots can extend along the parapet or act as a green divider between the zones. Here, you can create small trees, extensive herb gardens, and multiple color zones. Eterna's concrete containers in various sizes provide a stable base for more sophisticated plantings. Large containers with olive trees or oleander create a Mediterranean atmosphere, while smaller pots with herbs serve both the kitchen and the visual aspect.

Designing terraces for year-round use: The Swiss approach

For year-round use, you need the right structures and materials. Aluminum, stainless steel, and high-quality polyrattan can stay outdoors. Wood-plastic composite flooring is extremely easy to maintain—cleaning twice a year is sufficient. Teak furniture from Eterna can survive the winter with protective covers or, ideally, in protected storage.

Patio roofs with adjustable louvers allow you to use your outdoor space in any weather. Combined with infrared heaters, they significantly extend the season. Side windbreaks made of glass or aluminum protect against the north wind, which can often be unpleasant on Lake Zurich.

Textile solutions – weatherproof outdoor cushions and blankets – should be stored dry when not in use. Eterna offers high-quality outdoor textiles. Store them in dry storage baskets or indoors to maximize their lifespan. Investing in quality textiles is only worthwhile if you care for them properly.

Winterizing your outdoor furniture: How to help it survive the Swiss winter

Wooden furniture requires special preparation. Clean it thoroughly with soapy water and a stiff brush. Lightly sand the surface with sandpaper. Apply wood oil, stain, or varnish. Allow the wood to dry completely, which can take twelve to twenty-four hours. Then store the furniture in a cool, dry place such as a cellar or garage.

Native woods such as beech, spruce, and pine must be stored indoors. Teak furniture from Eterna can be left outside with a protective cover, but benefits from indoor storage. Ask in the showroom about the specific care requirements for the teak furniture in our range.

Check metal furniture for rust damage. Remove rust immediately and apply rust protection. Repair any coating damage before water can penetrate. Inspect rivets particularly carefully.

Textiles should never be stored in damp conditions, as this can lead to mold growth. Use breathable storage boxes or Eterna storage baskets. While Eterna's outdoor cushions are weatherproof, storing them in a dry place significantly extends their lifespan.

Potted plants need special winter care. Potted plants that can tolerate temperatures down to minus five degrees Celsius – olives, oleanders, bay laurels – can overwinter against the house wall. Wrap the pots with fleece, burlap, or bubble wrap. Tropical plants like palms and citrus need a cool, but frost-free room with a maximum temperature of twelve degrees Celsius and sufficient light. Place hardy perennials in Eterna concrete containers in sheltered locations. Water moderately during dry periods above freezing.

Combine plants and accessories skillfully

Styles and their plant partners

Mediterranean style at Eterna works brilliantly. Combine Eterna's outdoor furniture and concrete planters in terracotta tones with lavender, rosemary, and olive trees. Complement with lanterns and natural materials. Warm earth tones dominate – perfect for the current trend toward warm brown tones. Place the furniture on light wood flooring or natural stone, place the parasol base with a beige umbrella in the center, and you've created a Mediterranean paradise on Lake Zurich.

Modern minimalism emphasizes reduction. Concrete planters from Eterna are a perfect fit for this style. Plant individual structural plants – pampas grass, a shapely bamboo. Keep the color palette monochromatic with white, gray, and green. Opt for clean lines. Outdoor lounge furniture in neutral tones, a few high-quality accessories such as an elegant serving tray, and clear geometric shapes in the planters create this look.

Boho-natural is more vibrant and playful. This is where Eterna's outdoor textiles shine: Mix different patterns, use natural fibers, and place lots of cushions in various sizes on your outdoor lounge. Plant in a free-flowing way – hanging baskets, climbing plants, and colorful flowers at different heights. Several small concrete planters work better here than a few large ones. Combine different lanterns and candle holders, use storage baskets as decorative elements, and create an eclectic, relaxed look.

Color coordination for harmonious balconies

Monochromatic planting stays within one color family. For example, choose white through pink to violet. This planting scheme looks elegant and natural. Combine it with outdoor cushions from Eterna in similar shades. The eye finds solace in this harmonious color palette.

Complementary colors create drama and excitement. Yellow with purple, orange with blue, red with white—these combinations draw attention. Use them purposefully, for example, with yellow plants in concrete containers and purple outdoor cushions. The contrast invigorates and energizes.

You shouldn't exceed three contrasting colors in one arrangement, otherwise it will appear chaotic. Eterna's curated accessories help maintain a coherent color palette. The showroom team will be happy to advise you on harmonious color combinations that suit your personal style.

Height gradation for depth

For wall-supported balconies, place tall plants at the back, medium-sized ones in the middle, and low or hanging plants at the front. This staggered arrangement creates a sense of depth and makes the balcony appear larger. Use Eterna's concrete planters in various sizes to create this gradation.

For freestanding arrangements on large terraces, a different logic applies: Tall plants go in the center, decreasing in height towards the edges. Consider the 360-degree view when creating a focal point for plants in the middle of the terrace.

Leave a hand's width of space between seedlings when planting them. They will grow and fill in the gaps themselves. Leave two to three centimeters of space below the rim of the container. This allows for effective watering without overflowing. These details make the difference between average and professional planting.

Eternas Services: More than just sales

Personal consultation in the Stäfa showroom

The 250-square-meter showroom at Spittelstrasse 4 in Stäfa is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here you can experience Eterna's outdoor range in atmospherically staged settings. Personal consultations will help you to perfectly combine furniture, plants, and accessories. You can drop by without an appointment. Enjoy a complimentary coffee while you browse the collection and find inspiration.

The team knows the products inside and out. You'll learn which outdoor lounge furniture is best suited to your specific situation, how to properly size your parasol base, and which planters are ideal for which plants. This expertise is especially valuable when you're investing in high-quality pieces that are meant to last for decades.

Delivery service in the Lake Zurich region

Eterna delivers directly from its showroom to selected communities around Stäfa, Rapperswil, and Zurich. The right shore of Lake Zurich is comprehensively served: Zollikon, Küsnacht, Erlenbach, Herrliberg, Meilen, Uetikon am See, Männedorf, Stäfa, Hombrechtikon, Feldbach, and Rapperswil-Jona. The left shore is also covered: Thalwil, Oberrieden, Horgen, Wädenswil, and Richterswil. The surrounding area includes Egg, Oetwil am See, Grüningen, Gossau ZH, Bubikon, Rüti, and Hinwil.